Posthole auger



R. H. 0055s POSTHOLE AUGER Dec. 21, 1948.

I5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed March 5, 1945 Dec. 21, 1948. DOB S 2,456,819

POSTHOLE AUGER Filed March 5. 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TOR.

B I B..H. D0335 Y ZZZ? Patented Dec. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POSTHOLE AUGER Richard H. Dobbs, Atlanta, Kans. Application March 5, 1945,. Serial No. 581,020

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a post hole auger and has for its principal object the provision of hydraulically operated means to raise and lower the auger.

A further object of this invention is to construct a post hole auger arrangement and means to attach the same to a tractor as conveying means therefor from point to point consecutively for its engagement and being actuated by power transmitted from the tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient means to plumb the auger, should the vehicle be stationed out of level at its point of engagement.

A still further object of this invention is to simplify the auger arrangement to the extent that the same may be efficiently directed by a sole operator.

A still further object of this invention is to construct the auger and its components as an attachment, removably secured to a motor vehicle or" the tractor class or the like whereby the invention as a whole is supported and carried by the tractor hitch.

A still further object of this invention is to position the turning stem of the auger into a hydraulically actuating cylinder to raise and lower the auger and means to pump a hydraulic fluid for reciprocal movement of a piston alternately to which the turning stem is rotatably connected.

These and other objects will hereinafter be more fully explained, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters will apply to like parts in the different views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. i is a side elevation of the auger mechanism and its connection to the hitch of a tractor that is iragmentarily shown.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the hydrauli pump, parts removed for convenience of illustration.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the mechanism, the auger being removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View through a safety valve connecting the inlet and outlet pipes for the pump.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a worm gear structure to rock the auger mechanism in one direction.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a worm gear structure to rock the auger mechanism in a transverse di rection to that of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 in Fig. 4.

As a more concise description of the invention with respect to its drawings, it will be seen that the components of the post hole auger consists of an oil tight cylindrical housing having a cylindrical shell i, the ends of which are closed by heads 2 and 3 respectively, the cylindrical axis of the shell in its operative position being horizon-tally disposed and trunni-oned in an annular band i of suitable width, one side of which has its hearing against an outer extending peripheral portion of head 2 while the other side rests against an adjacent side of an annular toothed element li-tliat functions as a gear for the purpose later described. Said toothed element is secured .to the cylindrical shell by cap screws 6 that extend through ears l and into the shell, said ears being spaced around and integrally joined to the other side or the body portion of said toothed ele ment whereby the cylindrical portion is adapted to being turned in the annular band with a smooth running fit as turned by a toothed pinion 8 in mesh with the tooth-ed element, said pinion being mounted on a shaft 93 journalled in a hearing it that is mounted on said band element and the said shaft Q being turned by a shaft ii joined thereto by a universal joint connection 52, last said shaft having a crank 53 formed on its outer end to turn the same manually whereby the auger mechanism is plumbed one way. To plumb the auger mechanism transverse to that of the first said rocking movement, there is provided a pair of spindles it that are secured to the said annular band diametrically opposite each other, extending outward and being aligned to rock-ably engage in apertured heads 25 that are secured to arms l6 that slant downward and forward to a horizon tally disposed portion thereof that seats on the upperside of a tractor hitch ll and being secured thereto as carrying means for the said post hole auger.

As a means to rock. the auger mechanism toward and from the tractor with respect to its upper and lower ends alternately, there is provided a worm and gear 58 and i9 respectively in mesh with each other, and being journalled in a bearing 2!! in working relation to its spindle, said bearing being secured to the arm adjacent its head so that the worm gear will engage on the outer portion of the spindle rigidly to rock the auger structure selectively by turning the worm with its crank shaft iii to finally plumb the auger with its point of engagement for boring a hole in the earth for a post and so on for-setting a series of aligned posts for a fence.

It will be seen in Fig. 4 that the cylindrical shell I, has oppositely disposed nipples 22 in its shell diametrically opposite each other and near its longitudinal center, said nipples inwardly extending and being aligned in registry to receive the components of a guiding and turning means for a post hole auger 23, said guiding and turning means consisting of a tubular element 24 revolubly journalled in the said nipples and having ball bearings 25 for each end thereof and lock nuts 25 threadedly engaging in said nipples and which the outer race of said ball bearings will engage. For oil seal purpose, there is also provided packings 27 for the ends to seat on the lock nuts and being pressed by packing glands 28 that threadedly engage in the outer ends of said nipples. It will be seen that the tubular element has a ring gear 29 surrounding the same and being turned by a toothed pinion 3i! in mesh therewith, said pinion being turned by a shaft 3! that is journailed in a bearing 32 extending through head 2 and being connected to a power takeofl. shaft 33 of the tractor, and the said bearing having a ball bearing 34 inward of the head, while the outer end of the bearing has a gland nut 35 to press a packing 36 for oil seal purpose as the cylindrical housing is a container for oil to lubricate the gears.

Extending through said tubular element 24 and rotatable therewith is a hollow cylindrical element 3?, the opening of which is rectangular in cross section, through which a stem 38 coinciding therewith in cross section slidably engages longitudinally thereof to raise and lower the auger by hydraulic power later described. To avoid longitudinal movement of the hollow cylindrical element as installed in the tubular element 241, it will be seen that bolts 39 extend through said. elements 2d and being embedded in opposite sides of the hollow cylindrical element 3?, and furthermore upon removal of said bolts is means to remove or place the cylindrical element within the tubular element for repairs, or at the time of assembling the components of the structure.

Inasmuch as the auger stem engages as a piston rod for a portion of its upper end, within a hydraulic cylinder 40, the same is made oil tight by packing ll and glands 42 threadedly engaging on their respective ends of the cylindrical element as shown in Fig. 4.

As a simple and eiiicient means to tighten or remove the glands, it will be seen that a circular opening is formed in the center or turning axis of the glands to turn freely on the rectangle backs of the stem extending therethrough and to compress the packing, there is provided in the cap of the gland nut an annular flange A3 to engage on a circular apertured plate 44 that seats on the packing, consequently the auger stem is free to rotate as driven by the ring and pinion gear.

Positioned on the upper end of the cylindrical element is the aforesaid hydraulic cylinder and being scured thereto by a coupling 35 that threadedly engages the lower end of said hydraulic cylinder. The coupling at its lower end has an axially bored gland nut threadedly engaging thereon and through which the cylindrical element engages with a close turning fit for the gland nut to compress a packing 45, to oil tight engagement between an annular bushing 47 and an inwardly extending annular flange 48 that is integral with the coupling and being the closing means for the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder while its upper end is closed by a removable head 49, whereby upon removing the head the cylinder and circulating pipes may be fully charged with an appropriate hydraulic fluid. To circulate the fluid, I have provided a force gear pump comprised of a casing 50 secured to the outer side of head 3 and being liquid tight where it joins the head.

Rotatably journalled in the casing is a pair of toothed gears in mesh with each other liquid tight to circulate hydraulic fluid into and outward therefrom, said fluid preferably being oil and hereinafter referred to as such. To circulate the oil, it will be seen in Fig. 2 that the interior of the casing is provided with sectors 52 in which the outer extremity of the gear teeth will closely engage to seal the sectors oil tight as engaged by said teeth; being so engaged and in mesh as shown, is means to provide a reservoir 53 for oil and a compression chamber at whereby oil is circulated through a pipe system later described.

J ournalled in head 3 of the cylindrical housing is a pinion 55 as turning means for one of the gear pumps, said pinion being in mesh with the ring gear as turning means for the pinion whereby the gear pump is actuated to raise and lower the auger selectively.

Said auger stem at its upper extremity has a swivel 56 to provide for turning of the stem while the upper joint A is secured to a piston head 51 that slidably engages in the cylinder as actuated by oil pressure introduced into the cylinder above and below the piston head selectively which in turn acts upon the auger to raise or lower the same as the conditions require.

To avoid raising the hydraulic cylinder where it joins the hollow cylindrical element there is provided a plurality of brace members 58 having their upper ends secured to the coupling While their other ends are secured to the shell of the cylindrical housing and its toothed annular gear.

It will be seen in Fig. 4 the arrangement of pipe conductors connecting the pump with the hydraulic cylinder 40, in which there is provided a bypass having a rockable valve 59 journalled in a cylindrical body 60, said valve having a pair of oppositely disposed wings B and C to control the flow of oil through communicating pipes are described as follows. To turn the valve there is provided an arm 5! secured thereto and having on its outer end a rod 62 rockably mounted and extending forward to turn the valve for injecting oil in the cylinder above and beneath the piston head selectively. Said valve being positioned as shown in Fig. 4 will cause injection of the oil beneath the piston head as conducted through pipes 63 and 6 while the oil above the piston will return through pipes 65 and 66, and when turned in direction of the arrow to position shown by dotted lines, the flow will be through pipes 63 and 65 while the return will be through pipes 64 and tit-to reverse the piston movement. Should the oil pressure continue to increase after the piston has moved to its maxi mum stroke in either direction, there is provided a safety valve placed in a bypass pipe 61 that communicates with pipes 63 and 66 adjacent the pump to restrict the oil circulation to the pump and that portion of pipes between the safety valve and pump. Said safety valve is positioned within a coupling 68 for the bypass pipes,v said valve comprising a circular member 69 secured j at the longitudinal center of the coupling through which apertures ll) extend and being releasably closed by plate H, said plate having a stem '52 axially secured thereto and adapted to slidably engage through an aperture in member 69. Threadedly'engaging on the other end of said stem are lock nuts 13 to adjustably tension a coil spring 14 wound on the stem to engage between said lock nuts and member 69 to tension the plate to snug engagement over the apertures 10, the tension being sufficient to resist the pressure of oil required to raise and lower the auger and furthermore the tension being such as to permit circulation through the safety valve in case of an emergency similar to that above described.

The auger asshown in Fig. 1 has a blade 15 spirally Wound on its stem from its lower extremity upward, terminating approximately for the average depth of a post hole whereby during the time of boring and raising the auger from its hole, the cuttings thereof will be conveyed upward to pile on the surface around the hole for the convenience of filling and tamping the same at the time of setting the post. It will be understood that the components of the inven-- tion as specifically shown and described may be modified as lie within the scope of the appended claim.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a post hole auger, a cylindrical shell, the longitudinal axis of which is horizontally disposed, said shell having removable heads for its ends to function as a container for oil, one head being the carrying means for a hydraulic pump and having a shaft journalled to extend therethrough and a bevel-gear secured to its end inward of the shell, said shaft being connected to drive the pump, a pair of nipples axially aligned and extending inward toward each other on a diameter of the shell, the nipples being integrally joined to the shell to function as carrying means for ball bearings, said nipples being internally threaded a spaced distance inward from their outer ends, ball bearings engaging in the confronting ends of the nipples and being secured by lock nuts engaging with said internal threads of the nipples that terminate where they meet the bearings to secure the same against end thrust, said nipples having packing glands as oil-seal means for the shell, a tubular element having a ring gear integrally joined thereto, the ends of the tubular element fitting between the bearings, a cylindrical element extending through the tubular element and outward of the packing glands and below and above the cylindrical shell, said cylindrical element having an opening therethrough rectangular in cross section, a square stem slidably fitting said opening and extending beyond both ends of the cylindrical element, a coupling and means to carry the same rigidly to the cylindrical shell and through which the cylindrical element extends, gland means for the lower end of the coupling to engage on the cylindrical element, packing gland means for each end of the cylindrical element and through which the said stem slidably engages, a hydraulic cylinder secured to the coupling co-axial therewith and into which the stem extends, and a piston secured to the stem for reciprocal movement thereof, there being pipe means to connect the ends of the hydraulic cylinder with the pump, said other head of the cylindrical shell having a shaft axially aligned with the shaft of the first said head and having a pinion secured at its inner end meshing with the ring gear, and power means to turn the shaft.

RICHARD H. DOBBS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 248,982 Ball Nov. 1, 1881 261,978 Allison Aug. 1, 1882 904,161 Terry Nov. 17, 1908 1,511,433 Spowart Oct. 14, 1924 1,692,431 Anderson Nov. 20, 1928 1,966,637 Menhall July 17, 1934 

